After two weeks of nonstop chaos and endless speculation on behalf of every major college football fanbase in America, the NCAA Transfer Portal has officially closed. This 14-day window brought on new enemies for Kalen DeBoer and Alabama, who saw six of their 22 portal exits officially trade in their old Crimson threads for new colors with opposing programs that the Tide will face on their regular-season schedule in 2026.
These sides began being switched on January 2nd, when Alabama fans first saw former reserve offensive lineman Olaus Alinen hit the open market to ultimately head up north to Lexington to join the Kentucky Wildcats. That move was followed up the next day by former Tide offensive lineman Micah DeBose and wide receiver/punt returner Cole Adams, who both entered the portal on the 3rd, then took their talents to Nashville to join coach Clark Lea and Vanderbilt.
Fittingly enough, to pleasure of many Alabama fans, that domino effect was matched by seeing beleaguered offensive tackle Wilkin Formby hit the portal and pack his bags for College Station to join Texas A&M.
These moves began to take their toll on the defensive side of the ball when news broke that former Tide edge rusher Kelby Collins was next to say his goodbyes to Tuscaloosa after being a one-year rental for Kane Wommack and staff, as Collins found his way to South Carolina to play for Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks. This loss for Alabama stung, but the pain deepened when former fan favorite and wide receiver, Isaiah Horton, stunned all Tide fans with his surprising portal entry to end up taking his talents West to reunite with Formby and play for the Texas A&M Aggies on January 8th.
All in all, this series of moves has added another level of intrigue to Alabama's 2026 regular season schedule, starting September 12th.
Alabama's 2026 schedule features six recent portal entrants
Week 2: @ Kentucky
(OL) Olaus Alinen
Week 4: Home vs South Carolina
(DL) Kelby Collins
Week 8: Home vs Texas A&M
(OL) Wilkin Formby
(WR) Isaiah Horton
Week 10: @ Vanderbilt
(OL) Micah DeBose
(WR) Cole Adams
It'll be interesting to see if the grass is truly greener on the other side and what potential story lines could form from these six departures when DeBoer and Alabama prepare to scheme against them this fall.